The bill proposes significant changes to New Jersey's school funding law by eliminating the use of census-based funding for special education aid. Specifically, it amends Section 5 of P.L.1996, c.138 (C.18A:7F-5) by removing references to the "State average classification rate" for general special education services and speech-only pupils. This shift aims to create a more equitable and predictable distribution of State aid, particularly for districts with high concentrations of at-risk students. The new funding formula will be based on the actual number of special education students enrolled in each district, rather than a fixed percentage of the total student population, thereby better reflecting the financial needs of these districts.

Additionally, the bill deletes provisions that previously allowed districts to apply for extra special education categorical aid for high rates of low-incidence disabilities, along with the requirements for demonstrating the financial impact of these disabilities. The amendments emphasize the importance of aligning the new funding formula with existing school accountability measures to ensure transparency and efficiency in educational service delivery. Overall, the proposed changes aim to create a more adequate funding system that supports the educational needs of all New Jersey students while potentially reducing property taxes and assisting communities in managing educational expenses.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:7F-5, 18A:7F-44, 18A:7F-46, 18A:7F-51, 18A:7F-55